I was watching this woman finish up her workout. She was thin...almost too thin. I see her at the gym all the time. She goes to aerobics classes, then jumps on the stairmaster, then does a bunch of other stuff. She probably works out at least two hours a day. She has the slightest bit of fat right below her navel. It must drive her crazy. She'd probably work out three hours a day just to get rid of it if she could. Of course, she'd be working against herself if she did that, but the mind doesn't always listen to reason. How do I know that? Because I do the same thing sometimes!
It got me to thinking. We are bombarded with so much input on a daily basis as to what the "perfect" body is supposed to look like. There's only one problem. The "perfect" body isn't something that is easily sustainable. It may not even be healthy to sustain. Bodybuilding and fitness competitors do NOT always look show ready 365 days a year. We perceive that they are, because that's how we get to see them. It's ridiculous.
When we assess where we are, we should think about performance first. We should be realistic in our goals. I know when I've added too much extra fat to my body. I know that my diet is 80% of my performance and appearance. The key is to understand where to draw the line on that "extra" fat. By all means, if you been lax, do what you need to in order to get rid of it. But don't spend so much time and effort thinking you need to look as if you can wash clothes on your abs every day of the year. It's not realistic, very likely not sustainable, and will lead to a lot of disappointment. Maybe I'll get the washboard someday; maybe I won't. Maybe I'll live my life at 10-11% bodyfat instead of 6%. Honestly, I'm fine with that. I need to live my life for me, not some ideal that I saw in a magazine. Health and performance are the most important parts of a fitness program. The rest is just gravy if you can get there. Just be realistic. Beat yourself up over what you should beat yourself up over, not what you shouldn't.
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1 comment:
powerful Bob. Its true that we are bombarded all the time.
I got an email today regarding this very same topic, we need to change our mindset about why we are doing it, for me its not about looksthat is a bonus, but being healthy for my kids, i want to be around for a long time, i want to still be able to run around when i have grand children,i want to enjoy and live my life rather then just plodding along.
When i look around and see what the average person looks like, i do not want to be like that.
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